The 2013 United Way of Central Iowa campaign raised a record-breaking $27.5 million, according to a news release.

United Way announced the final fundraising total Thursday night at the Des Moines Embassy Club. This is the third consecutive year the charity has set a fundraising record. This year’s total was a $900,000 increase from 2012.

The campaign surpassed the $27.3 million goal set by co-chairs Chris Littlefield and ITAGroup Inc. CEO Tom Mahoney, as well as the 46-member campaign cabinet.

“Central Iowans are amazingly generous with their time and dollars,” said United Way President Mary Sellers. “We owe a debt of gratitude not only to the 42,000 individuals who give to United Way, but also to the hundreds of leaders who volunteered their time, passion and influence toward the campaign’s success.”

Additionally, United Way secured more than $614,000 in grant funding in 2013 to advance community priorities in education, income and health.

The 2014 campaign will be chaired by Mahoney and Jim Israel, president of John Deere Financial in Johnston.